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Local talent shines
Later in the evening, we gathered again in the town square for a fireworks show almost as impressive as the show we saw in Yuci. Soon after the spectacle subsided, the coal pyres in the town square were set ablaze, warming hundreds of spectators from the freezing cold air. Little did we know, however, that we were in store to witness one of Zuoquan's most unique customs -- a mini-She Huo Jie talent contest.
As about a hundred people gathered in the street, the show commenced. Dozens of performing groups, each holding a placard saying the town or company that the group represents, started arriving in the square.
We learned that this was the second year that the county had set up the She Huo Jie local talent competition, but this was the first year that the town was offering monetary prizes for the acts that drew the most spectators. Groups could earn between 100 to200 yuan for wowing crowds with dancing, singing, acrobatics, or martial arts acts. A judge was onsite calculating each group's winnings.
"This year was a good year for us. In the past, we would just offer fruit or snacks to winning teams, this is the first year that we're offering money," the local organizer told us.
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地方藝人的風采
晚間時分，我們又來到了左權縣廣場觀看焰火表演，感受了繼榆次演出后的又一場視覺盛宴。焰火剛剛放完，場中的篝火熊熊燃燒了起來，溫暖了寒風中數以百計的觀眾。我們后來才知道，我們即將見證左權最獨特的風俗——迷你社火節才藝秀。
由百余人組成的十幾支演出隊伍，各舉牌展示著他們所代表的城鎮或公司，從大街走到了廣場上。演出開始了。
當地人告訴我們，這是該縣舉辦社火節地方藝人比賽的第二年，但這是第一次為演員提供獎金。舞蹈、演唱、雜技、武術等表演若能獲得觀眾的喝彩，演出團體將可獲得100至200元的獎金。評委則在一旁計算各隊的成績。
比賽的組織者說：“今年對我們來說是一個突破。往年我們只給獲勝隊伍提供水果或小吃，而今年第一次提供獎金。”
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